Viber pledges cooperation with Philippine authorities over gambling ads

Messaging platform Viber has committed to cooperating with Philippine regulators to ensure its advertising policies on gambling remain aligned with domestic laws. The move comes after heightened scrutiny from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), which has been monitoring messaging apps and e-commerce platforms for potential involvement in unauthorized online gambling.

In a statement reported by ABS-CBN News, Rakuten Viber clarified that its current guidelines only allow gambling-related promotions in jurisdictions where such activities are legally permitted. The company emphasized that it is actively consulting with the relevant Philippine authorities and will revise its policies once it receives official guidance.

According to Viber’s publicly available advertising policy, the platform permits limited promotional activities related to gambling—including casinos, lotteries, poker, and sports bingo. However, advertisers must secure Viber’s written consent before publishing such ads. They must also demonstrate full compliance with licensing, jurisdictional, and age-related requirements.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda warned earlier this week that platforms found to be facilitating online gambling could face suspension or outright bans in the Philippines. He noted that the government intends to take a firm stance against illegal gambling, citing risks to both consumer protection and national security.

In its response, Viber underlined that while certain advertisements may be approved under strict conditions, the platform itself does not facilitate gambling activities. “We do not host gambling or offer features that enable online gambling directly in the app, and we do not provide or process payments for any gambling service,” the company stressed.

Rakuten Viber further explained that it works only with “carefully selected partners” to ensure user safety and adherence to local regulations. The company said its priority remains safeguarding its millions of Filipino users while maintaining compliance with applicable advertising laws.

Good to know: Gambling-related promotions on Viber are permitted only on a restricted basis, and each campaign requires prior approval from the platform.

With the Philippine government signaling tighter enforcement, Viber’s willingness to cooperate highlights the growing importance of regulatory compliance for global tech platforms operating in the country.